Quiet Yorkshire village split as hundreds of [Rwandan] refugees about to arrive at new asylum centre

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Quiet Yorkshire village split as hundreds of refugees about to arrive at new asylum centre​

By
Kristian JohnsonInvestigative reporter
  • 17:18, 14 APR 2022

A specialist 'Greek-style' reception centre for asylum seekers will be built in Linton-on-Ouse as the government prepares to fly some to Rwanda
"I'm sure the local people will rise to the occasion and be their normal, magnificent, hospitable selves," said 68-year-old Mark de Groot. He has lived in Linton-on-Ouse for four decades and has no doubt that most people will be welcoming.
"There’s no reason why anyone should have any concern at all other than to think what they can do to help these people out. We should just be grateful that where we live, people aren’t dropping bombs on us."

Many are simply pleased the RAF base is being put to good use. The future of the military site has been up in the air for quite some time after the Ministry of Defence announced it would no longer continue as an RAF facility after 2020, leading some to describe the village as "a ghost town" after military personnel deserted the area.

There has been plenty of uncertainty about what would come next, but few - if any - saw this coming. The news broke on the eve of Easter weekend as part of the government's radical new immigration policy.

The UK's first specialist new 'Greek-style' reception centre for migrants will be built at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, with much of the existing infrastructure expected to be used to house new arrivals and process their asylum applications. It is all part of the government's wider asylum plans, which include a £120 million deal with Rwanda, which means migrants arriving in the UK could be flown 4,000 miles away to have their asylum claims processed in the African country.


It is not yet known exactly who will be transferred to RAF Linton-on-Ouse, but they could end up staying in the village for up to six months. Penny Johnson, who still works on the site, said it is a "fantastic" use of the 680-acre facility.
"My mother worked there, my father was in the RAF and my grandfather came here to help build the runways, so the base is a big part of our life," said the 56-year-old. "I’m just glad that it’s hopefully going to help people and it’s not going to sit there derelict.

"I think most of the village will embrace it. You will always get some people that will see the negative in everything, but you can’t form a judgement until it happens.

"It’s a bit scary because it's the unknown, but everybody deserves a chance and we’re very lucky that we were born here."
Rachel Barrell served two tours with the RAF and used to work on the base. She still calls Linton-on-Ouse home, 25 years after she moved into the village.

"If it’s all done properly, I see no problem with it to be honest," she said. "It’s nice to have people here who need help.

"I always like to look at the positives, not the negatives. From that point of view it’s a good thing. For the asylum seekers, it’s a sense of finding somewhere they can feel safe."

Others have expressed concerns though. Linton on Ouse is undoubtedly the idyllic image of tranquil village life and there are fears that could be disrupted.

Emma Darling, 46, admitted she would be more at ease if people are vetted before arriving on the RAF base.

She said: "I've got two daughters and it does worry me, I must admit. It’s a bit worrying about whether or not it’s going to be families of asylum seekers or single men.
"Obviously it’s good for the village and more people will be using the local shop. There are loads of empty houses too, so that makes sense. I can understand that.

"But is it going to increase crime? We came to live out here because it’s quieter and there’s less crime. I’m not going to say that’s going to happen, but it’s at the back of my mind.


"It could possibly bring problems, but it depends on how they manage it. It’s the unknown at the moment. I hope they’re going to vet the people coming."

Another woman, who do not want to be named, expressed similar concerns.

"We're a bit concerned about the crime that's likely to happen," she said. "You don't know who is going to be on there, do you?"
Even the local MP, Kevin Hollinrake, has said "an asylum seeker processing facility wouldn't have been my number one choice". While he said he has received reassurances that similar schemes elsewhere in the country have not led to "disturbances", Mr Hollinrake admitted he would have preferred to retain RAF Linton-on-Ouse as a military base.

He said: "Some people will see the positives in this in terms of keeping the base in use for something, some employment use, and there will be jobs created on site, which we're told will go to local people, which is good, and also some businesses who will form part of the supply chain.

"So I guess there's some positives here, but I'll be honest, if I had a blank canvas and a choice I guess it wouldn't be an asylum seeker processing facility wouldn't have been my number one choice for Linton-on-Ouse. My number one choice would have been keeping it as an RAF base but that ship has sailed and we've got to move on."

Mr Hollinrake added "it is crucial that those being processed are housed in suitable and appropriate settings" and vowed to put the local community "at the heart of these plans". Although it is expected up to 300 jobs could be created as part of the scheme, many local residents said they never hear about any plans for the site until they are finalised.

"We are always the last to know," said one man who did not wish to be named.

"I’m fed up with being treated like a mushroom. The comment about us being the ‘centre of the community’ is absolutely rubbish. This is not the way to treat the community if you want to get the community on board."

Linton-on-Ouse Parish Council echoed these thoughts. A spokesperson declined to give an official comment, but said they weren't consulted about the proposals and had no prior knowledge before the blueprints were unveiled on Thursday.

Many people are reserving judgement until they hear more about the finer details, but Mark isn't one of them.

"It’s going to take the RAF another decade to make their minds up what they are going to do with the base in the long-term, so it might as well be put to use in the meantime," he said. "It’s much better than having it empty."
 

Quiet Yorkshire village split as hundreds of refugees about to arrive at new asylum centre​

By
Kristian JohnsonInvestigative reporter
  • 17:18, 14 APR 2022

A specialist 'Greek-style' reception centre for asylum seekers will be built in Linton-on-Ouse as the government prepares to fly some to Rwanda
"I'm sure the local people will rise to the occasion and be their normal, magnificent, hospitable selves," said 68-year-old Mark de Groot. He has lived in Linton-on-Ouse for four decades and has no doubt that most people will be welcoming.
"There’s no reason why anyone should have any concern at all other than to think what they can do to help these people out. We should just be grateful that where we live, people aren’t dropping bombs on us."

Many are simply pleased the RAF base is being put to good use. The future of the military site has been up in the air for quite some time after the Ministry of Defence announced it would no longer continue as an RAF facility after 2020, leading some to describe the village as "a ghost town" after military personnel deserted the area.

There has been plenty of uncertainty about what would come next, but few - if any - saw this coming. The news broke on the eve of Easter weekend as part of the government's radical new immigration policy.

The UK's first specialist new 'Greek-style' reception centre for migrants will be built at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, with much of the existing infrastructure expected to be used to house new arrivals and process their asylum applications. It is all part of the government's wider asylum plans, which include a £120 million deal with Rwanda, which means migrants arriving in the UK could be flown 4,000 miles away to have their asylum claims processed in the African country.


It is not yet known exactly who will be transferred to RAF Linton-on-Ouse, but they could end up staying in the village for up to six months. Penny Johnson, who still works on the site, said it is a "fantastic" use of the 680-acre facility.
"My mother worked there, my father was in the RAF and my grandfather came here to help build the runways, so the base is a big part of our life," said the 56-year-old. "I’m just glad that it’s hopefully going to help people and it’s not going to sit there derelict.

"I think most of the village will embrace it. You will always get some people that will see the negative in everything, but you can’t form a judgement until it happens.

"It’s a bit scary because it's the unknown, but everybody deserves a chance and we’re very lucky that we were born here."
Rachel Barrell served two tours with the RAF and used to work on the base. She still calls Linton-on-Ouse home, 25 years after she moved into the village.

"If it’s all done properly, I see no problem with it to be honest," she said. "It’s nice to have people here who need help.

"I always like to look at the positives, not the negatives. From that point of view it’s a good thing. For the asylum seekers, it’s a sense of finding somewhere they can feel safe."

Others have expressed concerns though. Linton on Ouse is undoubtedly the idyllic image of tranquil village life and there are fears that could be disrupted.

Emma Darling, 46, admitted she would be more at ease if people are vetted before arriving on the RAF base.

She said: "I've got two daughters and it does worry me, I must admit. It’s a bit worrying about whether or not it’s going to be families of asylum seekers or single men.
"Obviously it’s good for the village and more people will be using the local shop. There are loads of empty houses too, so that makes sense. I can understand that.

"But is it going to increase crime? We came to live out here because it’s quieter and there’s less crime. I’m not going to say that’s going to happen, but it’s at the back of my mind.


"It could possibly bring problems, but it depends on how they manage it. It’s the unknown at the moment. I hope they’re going to vet the people coming."

Another woman, who do not want to be named, expressed similar concerns.

"We're a bit concerned about the crime that's likely to happen," she said. "You don't know who is going to be on there, do you?"
Even the local MP, Kevin Hollinrake, has said "an asylum seeker processing facility wouldn't have been my number one choice". While he said he has received reassurances that similar schemes elsewhere in the country have not led to "disturbances", Mr Hollinrake admitted he would have preferred to retain RAF Linton-on-Ouse as a military base.

He said: "Some people will see the positives in this in terms of keeping the base in use for something, some employment use, and there will be jobs created on site, which we're told will go to local people, which is good, and also some businesses who will form part of the supply chain.

"So I guess there's some positives here, but I'll be honest, if I had a blank canvas and a choice I guess it wouldn't be an asylum seeker processing facility wouldn't have been my number one choice for Linton-on-Ouse. My number one choice would have been keeping it as an RAF base but that ship has sailed and we've got to move on."

Mr Hollinrake added "it is crucial that those being processed are housed in suitable and appropriate settings" and vowed to put the local community "at the heart of these plans". Although it is expected up to 300 jobs could be created as part of the scheme, many local residents said they never hear about any plans for the site until they are finalised.

"We are always the last to know," said one man who did not wish to be named.

"I’m fed up with being treated like a mushroom. The comment about us being the ‘centre of the community’ is absolutely rubbish. This is not the way to treat the community if you want to get the community on board."

Linton-on-Ouse Parish Council echoed these thoughts. A spokesperson declined to give an official comment, but said they weren't consulted about the proposals and had no prior knowledge before the blueprints were unveiled on Thursday.

Many people are reserving judgement until they hear more about the finer details, but Mark isn't one of them.

"It’s going to take the RAF another decade to make their minds up what they are going to do with the base in the long-term, so it might as well be put to use in the meantime," he said. "It’s much better than having it empty."
https://www.npr.org/2018/06/25/6231...keeping-the-streets-clean-in-rwanda-s-capital
Rwanda, the land of 1,000 hills, is also known for being ordered and clean. But monkey rights groups say there is a lurid story behind the clean streets in Kigali.

On the streets, however, I find very different opinions. Eric Murindabi is playing basketball at a public park. He says, not long ago, you would find guys urinating right here on the court. This change, he says, is about much more than punishing those who throw garbage or don't clean up. It's a philosophical change.

IOW: The apes need 'encouraging' to not turn the whole thing into hell.
 
https://www.npr.org/2018/06/25/6231...keeping-the-streets-clean-in-rwanda-s-capital
Rwanda, the land of 1,000 hills, is also known for being ordered and clean. But monkey rights groups say there is a lurid story behind the clean streets in Kigali.

On the streets, however, I find very different opinions. Eric Murindabi is playing basketball at a public park. He says, not long ago, you would find guys urinating right here on the court. This change, he says, is about much more than punishing those who throw garbage or don't clean up. It's a philosophical change.

IOW: The apes need 'encouraging' to not turn the whole thing into hell.
 
Linton-on-Ouse

Linton-on-Ouse: Asylum centre plan for ex-RAF site scrapped​

    • Published
    • 9 August 2022


A campaign sign in Linton-on-Ouse
Image source, Danny Lawson / PA Wire
Image caption,
The plans for an asylum centre in North Yorkshire were opposed by villagers and Hambleton District Council
Plans to turn a former RAF base into an asylum seeker centre have been withdrawn, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said.
In April, the Home Office announced plans to turn the site at Linton-on-Ouse, in North Yorkshire, into an asylum centre for up to 1,500 men.
But villagers and Hambleton District Council opposed the decision and said they would mount a legal challenge.
Mr Wallace said he had withdrawn the offer of the site to the Home Office.
The minister was asked about the plans during a visit to West Yorkshire on Tuesday.
He said: "I have withdrawn the offer to the Home Office for that site. It's been with them for a number of months.

"I have obligations to do something else with that site, and you know there are other sites we made available to the Home Office if they wish to take it up."

'Sword of Damocles'​

Olga Matthias, of the Linton-on-Ouse Action Group which was set up to oppose the plans, said she was "over the moon" at the news.
"The government had effectively put the sword of Damocles over the whole village for the past four months, so the sense of relief that I have got has to be echoed by everybody else now the uncertainty has gone," she said.
"We have said all along that this was 'wrong plan, wrong place' and if the Home Office had done even a tiny bit of research before the announcement they would have seen this was the wrong place."
Virginia Sharpe, who lives in the village, said she wanted to "see it in writing and get confirmation for sure".
"Then we'll cross fingers and hope that it is the end of this ridiculous plan," she added.

RAF Linton-on-Ouse
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
The Home Office previously said the centre at the former RAF station would be as self-sufficient as possible
Announcing the plans in April, the Home Office said the facility would provide "safe and cost-effective" accommodation for single adult men who are claiming asylum in the UK, and meet suitability criteria.
Kevin Hollinrake, Conservative MP for Thirsk and Malton, who has campaigned against the plans, tweeted: "Delighted Linton-on-Ouse plans now scrapped. Wonderful team effort."
Conservative party leadership contender and North Yorkshire MP Rishi Sunak was "delighted" the plans had been withdrawn, a spokesperson for his campaign said.
The government said it remained committed to "tackling illegal migration and stopping dangerous small boat crossings".
A spokesperson said: "The government will continue to identify appropriate sites for Greek-style asylum reception centres which will play a key role in reducing the number of asylum seekers in hotels, which cost the taxpayer more than £5m each day."
 

Wethersfield: Braintree Council to appeal asylum seeker housing plan. The Home Office wants to accommodate up to 1,700 male adults at MDP Wethersfield

    • Published
    • 12 May, 2023


MDP Wethersfield housing
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
The Home Office wants to accommodate up to 1,700 male adults at MDP Wethersfield
By Simon Dedman
BBC News

A council is to appeal against a High Court decision to allow the housing of asylum seekers on a former RAF base.
Braintree Council will challenge the Home Office plan to allow up to 1,700 people be placed at Wethersfield in north Essex.
The authority is also applying for a judicial review into the decision.
The BBC understands the government does not intend to move male adult asylum seekers on to the Wethersfield site until after 26 June.
Last month, a High Court judge ruled that Braintree Council did not have jurisdiction over the Crown land, but allowed the authority to challenge the decision in the Court of Appeal.
A second judicial review into the Wethersfield plan has been lodged at the High Court by Gabriel Clarke-Holland, 24, who lives near the former base.


Mr Clarke-Holland's action will also challenge the environmental decision-making of Secretary of State Michael Gove into the use of the site.
In Lincolnshire, West Lindsey Council failed to secure an injunction in the High Court on Thursday to stop RAF Scampton being used to house up to 2,000 asylum seekers.
No date has yet been set for Braintree Council's appeal.
Protesters in Wethersfield, Essex holding large banners
Image source, Jon Ironmonger/BBC
Image caption,
About 250 people turned out for a protest in Wethersfield in March
Council leader Graham Butland said residents would be kept updated.
"We have continued to look at the other legal options available to us and we have also issued an application for judicial review challenging the Home Office's decision to use the site for this purpose," he said.
"The Home Office can still prepare the site whilst legal proceedings are in progress and we understand survey work is still ongoing.

"We still need to prepare to support any asylum seekers if legal proceedings are not successful.
"We are continuing to work with local partners to plan for this, as well as mitigating any pressures on local services and the impact on the local community."
Mr Butland added that the authority would press the Home Office to "engage proactively with the community".
The government said last year that housing asylum seekers in hotels was costing it almost £7m daily.
presentational grey line
 



Thursday July 20 2023

UK NEWS

Linton-on-Ouse: Asylum site villagers plagued by far right​


One resident of Linton-on-Ouse said she had installed CCTV after images of her home were put online

One resident of Linton-on-Ouse said she had installed CCTV after images of her home were put online
TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER JAMES GLOSSOP
Tom Ball
Saturday July 09 2022, 12.01am BST, The Times
A village where the Home Office plans to house 1,500 male asylum seekers has become a magnet for the far right.
Residents of Linton-on-Ouse, North Yorkshire, which has a population of 700, are mostly opposed to the creation of an asylum centre themselves on the grounds that there is not enough infrastructure, but say they have been intimidated after challenging the activists.
One resident said she had installed CCTV after images of her home were put online. Another, Olga Matthias of the Linton-on-Ouse Action Group, which opposes the Home Office’s plans, said someone had told her: “People could find out where you live and put a brick through your window.”
Pete North, a former Ukip candidate, left, has been spotted

Pete North, a former Ukip candidate, left, has been spotted
The Home Office made its plan public in April. Patriotic Alternative, the largest far-right

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